Japanese figure in formal dress, 19th century. The Voyage of The Challenger, by Eric Linklater page 199. Artist unknown. The fifth HMS Challenger (launched 1858) made extensive researches in the Pacific, following nearly a year of exploring the Atlantic, which was crossed several times. The route led by New Zealand, the Fiji Islands, Torres Strait, the Banda Sea and the China Sea to Hong Kong. The western Pacific was then explored northward to Yokohama (JAPAN), after which the Challenger struck across the ocean by Honolulu and Tahiti to Valparaiso. The Challenger then coasted southward, penetrated the Straits of Magellan, touched at Montevideo, recrossed the Atlantic by Ascension and the Azores, and reached Sheerness in May 1876. The Challenger is notable for carrying the first global marine research expedition and is without parallel in the history of scientific research. The vessel was also the first steamship to cross the Antarctic circle, although this was not the object of the voyage. *** Local Caption ***